Midday meal for vegans

More and more people are embracing a vegan lifestyle. Vegans are people who do not eat or use animal products, a fact that can make it difficult for beginners to fully adapt to their new diet and lifestyle. For those who have recently decided to go vegan, or even those who have been enjoying a vegan lifestyle for years, consider the following recipe for Panko-Crusted Tofu Sandwich With Apple and Celery Remoulade Slaw from Deb Roussou’s “350 Best Vegan Recipes” (Robert Rose).

Panko-Crusted Tofu Sandwich With Apple and Celery Remoulade Slaw

Serves 4

1/4 cup creamy mayonnaise or store-bought vegan alternative

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

3 stalks celery with leaves, thinly sliced

1 Granny Smith apple, grated

1 pound tofu, drained and pressed

1/4 cup dry white wine

4 ounces firm or extra-firm silken tofu

6 tablespoons plain soy milk

3/4 teaspoons salt, divided

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3 cups panko bread crumbs

1/4 cup canola oil, divided

4 potato rolls or vegan store-bought sandwich rolls, split and warmed

1/4 cup creamy mayonnaise or store-bought vegan alternative

1 tomato, sliced

2 cups baby arugula

1. Apple and Celery Remoulade Slaw: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, tarragon, salt and pepper. Stir in celery and apples, mixing well to combine. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Set aside.

2. Cut pressed firm tofu in half crosswise. Set each half on one narrow side and cut each into two 1-inch pieces. Pour wine into a shallow bowl and lay tofu slices in wine.

3. In a 2-cup glass measuring cup, using immersion blender or in upright blender, combine silken tofu, soy milk and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and puree into a very smooth sauce. Pour mixture into a shallow bowl and set aside. In a third shallow bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, black pepper and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Place bread crumbs in a fourth shallow bowl.

4. Working in batches, flip tofu in wine to dampen both sides, then remove from wine. Dredge tofu in flour mixture, turning to coat all sides and transfer to milk mixture. Using a fork and fingers, turn tofu to generously coat all sides. Using fork and fingers, lift and transfer tofu to bread crumbs and coat all sides, pressing lightly to help crumbs adhere. Transfer coated tofu to prepared baking sheet.

5. Place a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat and let pan get hot. Add tablespoons of the oil and heat until it shimmers. Carefully place 1 or 2 tofu pieces at a time into hot oil and cook until bottom is golden brown and crusty, 1 to 11/2 minutes. Flip tofu and cook until bottom is crispy, about 1 minute. Transfer to a platter lined with paper towels to drain. Continue with remaining tofu, adding more oil and adjusting heat as necessary between batches.

6. Spread roll halves with mayonnaise. Layer bottom half of roll with Remoulade Slaw, crispy tofu, tomato slices and arugula. Top with other roll half and press lightly. Cut each sandwich on the diagonal and serve.